$1 billion plan to ease gridlock in south

Heavy traffic jams up near the intersection of the Ortega Highway and Del Obispo St. near the I-5 off-ramp in San Juan Capistrano. The project to realign Ortega Highway so it flows directly into Del Obispo has begun.LEONARD ORTIZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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South County will see a lot of 'more' in the next few years - more homes, more businesses, and yes, more traffic.

As the region prepares for a population boom, $1 billion in transportation-related projects will expand roadways, lengthen roads and rebuild interchanges – all in the next few years in attempt to keep pace with more residents, cars and traffic.

Transportation officials are now inking final designs on several projects while community outreach specialists focus on efforts to make drivers aware of the impending – and in some cases significantly disruptive – changes. The projects are only the beginning as more funds come to improve freeways, streets and transit across the county through Measure M, the half-cent sales tax approved by voters for transportation infrastructure.

In the short term, locals will face construction and closures from El Toro Road in Lake Forest to Ortega Highway in San Juan Capistrano to Avenida Pico in San Clemente. To transportation experts, the disruption, the delays, the overall driving headaches are a small price to pay to making Orange County more mobile.

NEEDED INVESTMENT

Voters in 2006 showed they were willing to pay for transportation improvements by extending Measure M's sales tax for 20 years. The measure went into effect in 2011, and infrastructure improvements will coincide with plans for almost 17,000 new homes in south Orange County. Countywide, the population is expected to increase 30 percent by 2035. More people will mean more traffic.

"It's expected to get worse," said Darrell Johnson, deputy chief executive officer with the Orange County Transportation Authority. "It's not going to get better."

Upcoming projects have been in the works for years, and funding comes from a variety of local, state and federal sources. Another $50 million in Measure M funds will go to more improvements next spring, with OCTA board approval.

Board vice chair Greg Winterbottom said OCTA is working to get as much Measure M money to shovel-ready projects early in the 20-year investment cycle.

"What is needed now is some good circulation," he said.

WIDENING THE 5

Networks of freeways blanket most of Orange County, but south of the El Toro Y, there's only the I-5.

Efforts to add lanes, improve interchanges and ease congestion at Avenido Pico to San Juan Creek Roadbegin next year. Approximately 241,000 vehicles currently travel through the area daily, leading to traffic and congestion during peak hours. By 2040, the number of vehicle trips is expected to rise by 24 percent, or 300,000 vehicles traveling across the freeway.

Construction will come in three phases, with the final segment of Avenida Pico to Vista Hermosa expected to be completed in 2016.

Commuters on the 5 will get a breather, then construction will begin again to widen the stretch from the 73 toll road to El Toro Road. Building should begin in 2018, continuing for four years.

Heavy traffic jams up near the intersection of the Ortega Highway and Del Obispo St. near the I-5 off-ramp in San Juan Capistrano. The project to realign Ortega Highway so it flows directly into Del Obispo has begun. LEONARD ORTIZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The closed down Capistrano Chevron can be seen through the material on the chain link fence surrounding the property. The property was purchased to make way for the I-5/Oretega Highway interchange project that will realign Ortega Highway so it flows directly into Del Obispo. LEONARD ORTIZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Cars travel along Ortega Highway at Del Obispo St. near the I-5. LEONARD ORTIZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Heavy traffic jams up near the intersection of the Ortega Highway and Del Obispo St. near the I-5 off-ramp in San Juan Capistrano. The project to realign Ortega Highway so it flows directly into Del Obispo has begun. LEONARD ORTIZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Heavy traffic jams up near the intersection of the Ortega Highway and Del Obispo St. near the I-5 off-ramp in San Juan Capistrano. The project to realign Ortega Highway so it flows directly into Del Obispo has begun. LEONARD ORTIZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The I-5/Oretega Highway interchange project that will realign Ortega Highway so it flows directly into Del Obispo. LEONARD ORTIZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A long line of cars forms on Del Obispo St. as cars attempt to get onto Ortega Highway in San Juan Capistrano. The project to realign Ortega Highway so it flows directly into Del Obispo has begun. LEONARD ORTIZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Heavy traffic jams up near the intersection of the Ortega Highway and Del Obispo St. near the I-5 off-ramp in San Juan Capistrano. The project to realign Ortega Highway so it flows directly into Del Obispo has begun. LEONARD ORTIZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
The property where Jack in the Box is located the corner of Ortega Highway and Del Obispo St. in San Juan Capistrano was purchased to make way for the I-5/Oretega Highway interchange project that will realign Ortega Highway so it flows directly into Del Obispo. LEONARD ORTIZ, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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